Enlightenment

Developing full brain functioning for full awakening of consciousness

The enlightened brain: synchrony & connectivity Scientists have found Transcendental Meditation rapidly develops more efficient, coherent and integrated brain functioning, the basis of higher consciousness in daily life.

Studies in neuroscience have established that during TM the brain functions with greater harmony and coherence.

Electroencephalography (EEG) research consistently shows that TM produces patterns of alpha waves that are "in phase," or rising and falling together, measured simultaneously from different points on the brain. The different areas of the brain are communicating better with one another, working together better as a whole. This heightened brain wave coherence and long-range connectivity is the "EEG signature" of Transcendental Meditation and gives rise to the inner experience of "wholeness."

Researchers have also discovered that with regular twice-daily TM practice, the coherent, holistic brain pattern of the TM begins to occur more and more in daily activity after meditation. With more holistic, coherent brain functioning, the meditator experiences expanded awareness, broader comprehension, greater presence of mind and a more complete sense of self.

Developing the whole person Hundreds of scientific studies on Transcendental Meditation have identified the positive, holistic psychological growth that results from regular practice — described by meditators as growth of enlightenment.

Studies on TM have described findings in terms of greater self-actualisation, increased creativity, and growth of intellectual and cognitive abilities. Many scientists cite these research studies as empirical verification of higher stages of human development

"In Western psychology, it is generally understood that cognitive development ends at early adulthood," says psychologist and researcher David Orme-Johnson. "Fluid intelligence, working memory, processing speed and other cognitive functions are considered to peak around age 21, and then decline with age. Now there is a wide range of psychological and neurophysiological evidence showing that TM unfreezes that endpoint of human development and unfolds higher stages of mental performance and emotional well-being — beyond what we've accepted as the norm."

What is enlightenment? The founder of Transcendental Meditation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, explains enlightenment as a state of stabilised calm, clarity and full presence of mind, lived spontaneously in one's daily activities outside of meditation.

What is the goal of Transcendental Meditation? Maharishi: "The goal is the state of enlightenment. This means we experience that inner calmness, that quiet state of least excitation, even when we are dynamically busy."

Is it necessary to dissolve stress to experience the state of enlightenment? Maharishi: "Yes. And it brings very practical value to life. Even if we forget about ‘enlightenment' for a moment - maybe that state seems to be inconceivable - still it is our daily experience that the whole value of life is very little if we are tired, if we are stressed."

"If we think of a morning when we have not rested well in the night, then we feel so groggy and everything just collapses into dullness and inertia. The world is the same as on the other days, but our appreciation of the world is so much less."

"And with Transcendental Meditation we have a natural and effective means to dissolve even deeply rooted fatigue and stress. This is the way to unfold full value of life."

"Even in the first days of meditation, we find that our eyes seem to be a little more open, our mind seems a bit more clear. Our feeling towards our friends seems to be more harmonious."

"And then, as the practice continues every day, a time will come when we will start living life free from all stresses. We cleanse the awareness of all stresses and strains, leaving the conscious mind completely free in its pure value."

A fourth major state of consciousness In the early 1970s, scientists first proposed that TM produces a fourth major state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming or sleeping. This fourth state, "transcendental consciousness" or restful alertness, is characterised by a deep settling of the mind, heightened inner wakefulness and revitalising physiological rest.

Gary Kaplan, MD, PhD, Hofstra University School of Medicine: "We propose that what happens during TM is a fourth state of consciousness because it's very different from the other three states. After 40 years of research, we now know that TM produces a unique, wakeful, coherent state of deep rest that is physiologically the opposite of stress. The science also suggests that experiencing this state twice daily through TM is the key to maximising well-being."

"There's a growing pandemic of stress. There's a healthcare crisis. As a nation we have widespread anxiety, depression, hypertension and stress-related disorders that costs us billions every year, with untold costs in human suffering. This is what happens when life is lived without the restorative experience of transcendental consciousness. Human history becomes the story of stress and suffering."

In the ancient tradition of knowledge from which Transcendental Meditation comes - the same tradition that gave us yoga - regular experience of the fourth state, one's deepest inner self, is understood to be the mechanism that unfolds higher states of consciousness, or enlightenment, in daily life.

A more meaningful life People practising TM commonly report that, over time, the state of restful alertness gained during twice-daily meditation becomes more and more stabilised, so that eventually one lives that full presence of mind at all times outside of meditation — remaining calm, steady and focused even in challenging circumstances. From the standpoint of neuroscientists, this is the development of heightened coherence and greater neural connectivity in the brain.

With the continued practise of TM, meditators experience that their consciousness — their deepest inner self — unfolds and becomes "unbounded." This state of unbounded awareness brings inner freedom; comprehension is maximised, perception is enriched, and the recognition of the underlying unity of life grows stronger

Meditators also report that, in realising their truest self, they fulfil a higher purpose and live a more meaningful life. As perception deepens, so does appreciation of others. Thus this full awakening of one's consciousness spontaneously brings greater love, compassion and an enhanced ability to empathise with others. In the state of enlightenment, meditators find that all the qualities of life that we cherish most as human beings are realised in their fullest value.